99 Ways to Say “Very Good”: The Ultimate List of Praise Words, Positive Phrases & Words of Encouragement

Saying “very good” or “good job” on repeat can start to feel empty — to you and to the person hearing it. Whether you’re a teacher praising a student, a parent encouraging a child, a manager recognizing an employee, or a coach motivating a team, specific, varied praise sticks better than generic praise. This list of 99 alternative ways to say “very good” gives you a phrase for every situation: quick wins, slow improvement, big breakthroughs, and everyday effort.

Use it as a classroom praise chart, an employee recognition phrase bank, a parenting encouragement list, or simply a reference any time you need a fresh synonym for “very good,” “great job,” “well done,” or “nice work.”

Quick & Simple Praise

Short, punchy phrases for a fast, genuine acknowledgment.

1. Super!
2. That’s right!
3. That’s good.
4. Good work!
5. Exactly right.
6. That’s it!
7. Great!
8. Congratulations!
9. Not bad.
10. Good for you!
11. Nice going.
12. Wow!
13. That’s the way!
14. Terrific!
15. Sensational!
16. That’s better.
17. Excellent!
18. Perfect!
19. Much better!
20. Wonderful!
21. Fine!
22. Nice going.
23. Outstanding!
24. Fantastic!
25. Tremendous!
26. That’s great.
27. Right on!
28. Superb!
29. Marvelous!
30. I like that.
31. Way to go!
32. Good thinking.
33. Good going.
34. Good for you!
35. That’s it.

Enthusiastic & Energizing Exclamations

Big-energy phrases for moments that deserve a bigger reaction.

36. You’ve got it made.
37. I’m happy to see you working like that.
38. That’s much, much better!
39. I’m proud of the way you worked today.
40. That’s the best you’ve ever done.
41. Now you’ve figured it out.
42. That’s quite an improvement.
43. I knew you could do it.
44. Nothing can stop you now.
45. That’s the way to do it.
46. That’s the best ever.
47. That’s better than ever.
48. You must have been practicing.
49. You’re really going to town.
50. I’ve never seen anyone do it better.
51. You outdid yourself today!
52. Well, look at you go.
53. I’m very proud of you.

Praise for Progress & Improvement

Perfect for recognizing growth, not just the finished result — a core principle of effective positive reinforcement.

54. You’re on the right track now!
55. That’s coming along nicely.
56. That’s much, much better!
57. You’re doing that much better today.
58. You’ve just about got it.
59. Now you have it!
60. You are learning fast.
61. Keep working on it. You’re improving.
62. You’re getting better every day.
63. You did it that time!
64. That’s not half bad.
65. You haven’t missed a thing!
66. Keep up the good work.
67. That’s better.
68. You’ve just about mastered it.
69. Now that’s what I call a fine job.
70. You’re really improving.
71. Now you have the hang of it.
72. Keep it up!
73. Keep on trying.
74. I think you’ve got it now.

Praise for Effort & Hard Work

Words that acknowledge the process, focus, and persistence behind the result.

75. You’re really working hard today.
76. You are very good at that.
77. That was first class work.
78. You’ve got your brain in gear today.
79. That’s how to handle that.
80. You did a lot of work today.
81. Good remembering.
82. You’ve got that down pat.
83. You certainly did well today.
84. You did that very well.
85. You are really learning a lot.
86. You figured that out fast.
87. You remembered!

Praise for Mastery, Achievement & Accuracy

For the moment something clicks, is nailed perfectly, or is completed at a high standard.

88. Aren’t you proud of yourself?
89. One more time and you’ll have it.
90. You really make my job fun.
91. That’s the right way to do it.
92. Couldn’t have done it better myself.
93. You’re doing a good job.
94. You’re doing beautifully!
95. Congratulations. You got it right!
96. Good job, (person’s name).
97. That’s really nice.
98. That kind of work makes me happy.
99. It’s such a pleasure to teach when you work like that.